On 17 March 2026, AMBER Alert Europe’s Chairman Frank Hoen participated in the European Commission’s High-Level Event on Victims’ Rights, contributing to discussions on victim-centred justice, the revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive, and the upcoming EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights for 2026–2030. The event brought together representatives of EU institutions, Member States, EU agencies and civil society to reflect on recent progress and on the work still ahead.

As a member of the EU Victims’ Rights Platform since 2026, AMBER Alert Europe has been actively contributing to European discussions on how victims can be better supported and protected. The event also offered an opportunity to exchange views on the provisional agreement reached by the EU co-legislators on the revised Victims’ Rights Directive on 10 December 2025, as well as on future non-legislative action under the next EU strategy.

During the event, AMBER Alert Europe’s Chairman drew attention to a group that is often overlooked: families of missing persons in long-duration cases. Across Europe, thousands of missing persons cases remain unresolved, while many unidentified human remains have still not been matched with a name. For the families left behind, the need for answers, recognition and justice does not fade with time.

To demonstrate what a practical response can look like, AMBER Alert Europe presented findings of ICCAP, the International Cold Case Analysis Project. Developed initially in partnership with the Police Academy of Lower Saxony, ICCAP offers a structured European model for reopening long-duration cases. The project brings together universities, police academies, investigators, prosecutors and other experts to work on real, unresolved cases under strict confidentiality and GDPR safeguards.

By combining victim-centred, multidisciplinary and cross-border cooperation, ICCAP helps bring fresh perspectives to cases that have remained unresolved for years. The project shows how academic and professional expertise can support law enforcement and judicial authorities in a meaningful and practical way.

AMBER Alert Europe stressed that resolving these cases is not only a humanitarian effort but also a matter of justice. Renewed engagement can send an important message to families: that the passing of time does not diminish society’s commitment to truth and accountability. At the same time, initiatives such as ICCAP can offer Member States a way to reactivate long-duration cases without placing additional strain on police capacity by building on academic infrastructure and existing partnerships.

By bringing this perspective to the European Commission High-Level Victims’ Rights Platform meeting, AMBER Alert Europe reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that missing children, missing persons and their families remain part of the wider European victims’ rights conversation. As discussions continue on the next EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights, the organisation will keep advocating for practical, collaborative approaches that help bring answers and justice to those who have waited the longest.

For questions, please contact us at: info@amberalert.eu